Plural of laboratory, referring to rooms or buildings equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching. Places where systematic investigation and analysis are conducted.
From Medieval Latin laboratorium, from Latin laborare meaning 'to work.' Originally referred to any place of work or toil, but by the 17th century had specialized to mean a place for scientific work and experimentation.
The first laboratories were actually alchemist workshops in medieval times, where the line between science and magic was blurry - our modern sterile, controlled lab environment would be unrecognizable to early experimenters who worked with bubbling cauldrons and mystical symbols. The transformation of laboratories into standardized scientific spaces happened gradually during the Scientific Revolution.
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